Former Coatesville Resident Brings Digital-Age Poetry to West Chester

Aadil Malik, a spoken word poet and social media performer, delivered a lecture titled, “Our Futures Are Virtual: A Poet’s Guide to Social Media,” recently at the Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center in West Chester, writes Bill Rettew for the Daily Local News.

Malik, 22, is a former Coatesville resident who now lives in New Castle, Del. He has been performing since age 13. Malik’s performances employ elements of hip-hop and rap culture with a twist of Langston Hughes and Beat poetry.

The self-described “poet in a digital age,” and digital marketer, publishes his work on YouTube, Facebook, and through videos. He hopes to inspire a more productive approach to issues in a world that is “connected” unlike before.

“I don’t claim to be an expert or a researcher on social media or its effects,” Malik said. “What I am, however, is a poet in the digital age, whose success has largely been driven by social media and online networking.

“I believe my unique experience on social media, and the way I’ve been able to leverage it to gain an audience, could provide valuable insight on how we all can use these incredible online platforms for good.”